A Fine French Scenic 18th Century Button
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All Items : Popular Collectibles : Specialty : Sewing : Pre 1900 item #699907 (stock #5484)
A Victorian Aesthetic brass dress hem lifter circa 1880. This unusual Victorian design object was made to hold up the hem of a lady's dress. It sounds a little risque, but sometimes you preferred those long skirts not to be near water or mud, as is only sensible. In the Aesthetic design popular at the time (and swans certainly were popular), this solid brass clothing accessory clamps the bottom of the lady's dress with the tongs, which are locked in place by the sliding shield-shaped housing...
All Items : Popular Collectibles : Specialty : Sewing : Pre 1940 item #1080154
This Gorham sterling tape measure is 1 1/2" in diameter. It is hallmarked Gorham, sterling #18. The tape does move in and out as it should. The release button works as it should. The end of the tape needs a stop.
All Items : Popular Collectibles : Specialty : Sewing : Pre 1900 item #1179884 (stock #1771)
Two French button lots:

(A) Theatre arts people, Is this Canio or Pierrot? Late 1800s antique French Victorian brass metal picture button marked in back: Paris - Depose - A P & Cie in superb condition! 1 7/16". In the button collecting world known as Canio of Pagliacci. A little softening at the nose where it should be, this 100 years later! 10 grams
(B) French Depose 1 3/8" hand painted porcelain paisley with DEPOSE mark above the self shank: images 4, 5 & 6...

All Items : Popular Collectibles : Specialty : Sewing : Needle Cases : Pre 1900 item #1228042 (stock #02377)
An ornately carved early 19th century ivory needlecase. This 3" case measures 7/16" wide, and it unscrews to give access to the sewing needles. The carving is particularly fine and this sewing collectable is in excellent condition with no chips, staining, losses, repairs or damage other than a couple of minor age cracks (see pictures). This item is in very good condition with no chips, losses, damage or repairs other than the age cracks...
All Items : Popular Collectibles : Specialty : Sewing : Pre 1950 item #1338599 (stock #BNJblueEtui)
June Hastings
$125.00
Vintage blue leather sewing kit with gold plated sewing implements. All are in excellent condition. Case measures 6" long and does show a little wear
All Items : Popular Collectibles : Specialty : Sewing : Buttons : Pre 1800 item #1377174 (stock #zu176)
An extremely nice Wedgwood jasperware button depicting Andromache weeping over the ashes of Hector. Dating from the 4th quarter of the 18th century, the button is incised "WEDGWOOD" and the later mount is hallmarked as silver.

Excellent condition with no issues of note, and of very large size at 1 5/8". The metal surround is not lopsided as shown in the photo, which was taken at a slight angle.

PLEASE NOTE: We collected buttons for many years, but have decided to sell our collection...

All Items : Popular Collectibles : Specialty : Sewing : Buttons : Pre 1800 item #1377175 (stock #zu177)
An very fine Wedgwood jasperware button showing a classical figure holding an apple, with a cherub reaching for it. Dating from the 4th quarter of the 18th century, the button is incised "WEDGWOOD" and "63" and the later mount is hallmarked. Excellent condition with no issues of note, and of very large size at 1 11/16"...
All Items : Popular Collectibles : Specialty : Sewing : Buttons : Pre 1800 item #1377176 (stock #zu175)
A very fine Wedgwood jasperware button showing three women in classical garb with a child astride a sheep. Uncommon for both the scene and the dark blue ground color, rather than the usual Wedgwood blue...
All Items : Popular Collectibles : Specialty : Sewing : Buttons : Pre 1900 item #1377761 (stock #zu204)
A large gin bari button depicting flowers against a green background, the whole with a silver surround and backing. Uncommon hexagonal shape. Excellent condition with no issues, and any apparent imperfections are due to reflections in the photo. The diameter is 1 1/4".

NOTES:
1...

All Items : Popular Collectibles : Specialty : Sewing : Buttons : Pre 1800 item #1378391 (stock #zu166)
A true tour de force of the use of pastes in buttons. This fine example is of large size at 1 1/4", and features a sprig of flowers in a circlet mounted on cobalt glass. Visible beneath the glass is guillochet worked metal. The back of the button is either silver or a base metal.

In excellent condition with no issues...

All Items : Popular Collectibles : Specialty : Sewing : Buttons : Pre 1950 item #1378453 (stock #zu167)
This beautiful example is of large size at 1 1/4", and features a large clear central paste surrounded by 8 shaped green pastes, the whole encircled by clear pastes. The second photo more accurately shows the color of the green pastes. The back of the button is either silver or a base metal. In excellent condition with no issues.

Any whiteness or flecks in the photo are either light reflections or dust.

Provenance: Private purchase from the Speights Button Collection...

All Items : Popular Collectibles : Specialty : Sewing : Buttons : Pre 1800 item #1378668 (stock #zu165)
Hand painted on natural organic wafer, this button depicts a cherub beside a flame topped memorial column, with greenery along the border. Photos under different lighting are shown, with the second photo probably being the most accurate in natural light.

No condition issues, and a diameter of 1 3/8".

Absolutely charming, and a rare piece...

All Items : Popular Collectibles : Specialty : Sewing : Buttons : Pre 1900 item #1380897 (stock #zu207)
A fine example of polychrome painting on enamel with cut steels, depicting a couple fishing. This genre arose due to the interests of the increasingly wealthy French middle class in the places and ways people enjoyed their leisure. No condition problems, and the cut steels are brighter in person than the photo shows. 1 3/8" diameter.

PLEASE NOTE: We collected buttons for many years, but have decided to sell our collection. The buttons shown on our site represent but a small sample on what we ...

All Items : Popular Collectibles : Specialty : Sewing : Buttons : Pre 1900 item #1380900 (stock #zu149)
A fine example of French polychrome painting on enamel with cut steels, depicting the cherubic infant Cupid holding a bird. During the Victorian era images of Cupid or cherubs were widespread, symbolizing the romantic and sentimental interests of the time. No condition problems, and the cut steels are brighter in person than the photo shows. 1 1/16" diameter.

PLEASE NOTE: We collected buttons for many years, but have decided to sell our collection. The buttons shown on our site represent but ...

All Items : Popular Collectibles : Specialty : Sewing : Buttons : Pre 1900 item #1381074 (stock #zu142)
A fine example of polychrome painting on enamel with cut steels, depicting a woman on a berry picking outing. The front of her dress is picked out with gold flecks, which do not photograph well. This button belongs to the genre which arose due to the interests of the increasingly wealthy French middle class in the places and ways people enjoyed their leisure. Note the buildings in the background, indicating that the activity is taking place outside the bustle of the city.

No condition problem...

All Items : Popular Collectibles : Specialty : Sewing : Buttons : Pre 1900 item #1381890 (stock #zu168)
A round facetted example of what can best be described as flying saucer shape, as seen from the side. No condition issues, and with a diameter of 3/8" and a thickness of 5/16".

NOTES: 1. Tingues are constructed with a layer of clear colorless glass with a very thin colored glass (typically red) sheet overlay on top. This piece is cemented to a glass base with a thin sheet of reflective gold foil or leaf between them. The button is faceted to improve reflection.

2. Tingues are nam...

All Items : Popular Collectibles : Specialty : Sewing : Buttons : Pre 1900 item #1381913 (stock #zu109)
A round facetted example of what can best be described as flying saucer shape, as seen from the side. Uncommon transparent red base. No condition issues. In spite of the appearance in the main photo, the edges of the gold foil are sharp and not blurred. The last photo shows this. This fine example has a diameter of 1/2" and a thickness of 1/4".

NOTES: 1. Tingues are constructed with a layer of clear colorless glass with a very thin colored glass (typically red) sheet overlay on top. This p...

All Items : Popular Collectibles : Specialty : Sewing : Buttons : Pre 1900 item #1382178 (stock #zu106)
A very fine example of an rare tingue, being of yellow color and cylindrical form. No condition issues. In spite of the appearance in the main photo, the edges of the gold foil are sharp and not blurred. The last photo shows this. This fine example has a diameter of 1/4" and a length of 3/8".

NOTES: 1. Tingues are constructed with a layer of clear colorless glass with a very thin colored glass (typically red) sheet overlay on top. This piece is cemented to a glass base with a thin sheet of ...